The complete flowering of Hatha Yoga has its roots in the soil of Tantra. The singular vision of the Tantric tradition is that the physical body is sacred potentially an altar that mirrors the larger universe. The goal of its diverse techniques: master the subtle forces in the body so you can master yourself and be most masterful in your life – and thus, experience the Sacred within and without.
Rod is one of the world's most influential yoga and meditation teachers.
Rod's teachings continue to evolve, blending ancient wisdom with modern insights that address the all aspects of life.
Drawing from more than 40 years of practice, study and teaching, Rod will share key principles and practices of tantra so students and teachers can expand the reach and reward of their yoga practice. Over the course of this four-session, weekend workshop, he guides a tradition-based, systematic approach into tantra yoga and decodes essential teachings to help you understand, practice and potentially teach Tantra Yoga. Each session integrates lecture and practice, emphasizing the gift that is the alchemy of asana, pranayama, bandha, mudra & meditation.
All experienced students are welcome.
Focus of the teachings:
One of the meanings of the word Tantra is system. According to tantric wisdom, yoga practice involves four stages thus, “what” and “how” we practice is ideally informed by which of these four we wish to emphasize. Each stage utilizes unique approaches and yogic methods:
Stage 1. Tantra Yoga: A Spanda Vinyasa and Asana Practice
Stage 2. Cultivating the Moon: Deep Stillness, Healing Power
Stage 3. Bandha and the Energetics of Practice
Stage 4. Tantra Yoga Vinyasa: Awakening the Sacred Channel
One can use this knowledge to address one’s changing needs or move through the various stages progressively, from the ground to the pinnacle of practice.
SCHEDULE:
SATURDAY 2/21 9:30am-12:30pm - Tantra Yoga: A Spanda Vinyasa and Asana Practice: According to Tantra, spanda is the ecstatic pulse of the unmanifest, the source of creative energy, the soul of the material world; it is also the yogis’ bridge to spirit. In this class you will be led through a sequence of asanas (with an emphasis on twists), pranayama, and meditation –– practices that awaken your connection to eternal creative energy and the inner pulsation of your spirit. Some theory gets us started.
SATURDAY 2/21 2pm-5pm - Cultivating the Moon: Deep Stillness, Healing Power: Activation of the lunar force invokes the power of steadiness, immovable resolve, and the qualities of self-knowing. In this practice we’ll stalk the inner moon and invoke its nurturing and sublime forces through a powerful, yet deeply soothing asana, pranayama, and meditation sequence for body and mind. Through experience and some theory, you'll cultivate the forces that lead to calm in the midst of turbulence and that awaken peace, intuition, and courage.
SUNDAY 2/22 9am-12:30pm - Bandha and the Energetics of Practice : Bandha is the doorway into the energetics of practice. Perfection of bandha increases healing capacity, builds creative power, awakens self-knowledge, and speeds up the process of transformation. Learn the keys to bandha theory and practice in asana, pranayama and beyond. Our emphasis is on taking your practice, wherever it currently is, to the next level. Asana, pranayama, and discussion. Practice and lecture. All levels.
SUNDAY 2/22 1:30pm-4pm Yoga - Tantra Yoga Vinyasa: Awakening the Sacred Channel: According to Tantra, the spine––and more specifically, the energy channel inside it, called Sushumna––is the abode of our soul’s untapped potential, the source of our creative energy and spirit. All yoga practice is meant to prepare us for tapping into this sacred channel. However, in this class we move through a sequence of asanas, pranayama, and meditation specifically designed to awaken this central channel and to unlock the spiritual energy that resides within it. Some theory gets us started.